Driver indicted in crash that claimed cop's life

May 9, 2013

Written by

Chris Torres

MILLVILLE — The man allegedly responsible for the death of city police Officer Christopher Reeves last summer was indicted Wednesday on charges related to the incident.

Timothy Seidel II, 24, of Millville was indicted on two counts of aggravated manslaughter, one count of vehicular homicide, one count of eluding police and two counts of aggravated assault by automobile, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.

He received additional charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving last September.

Seidel was allegedly fleeing police at high speeds during the early morning of July 8 when the black Scion hatchback he was driving struck Reeves’ cruiser at the intersection of 3rd and Broad streets as Reeves was attempting to turn left onto 3rd Street.

Police Officer Johnathan Seidel — no relation to Timothy Seidel — was Reeves’ passenger in the cruiser and was injured in the crash.

Reeves — a training officer — was training Johnathan Seidel, who was on the job just two weeks at the time of the crash.

Johnathan Seidel sustained a broken rib, punctured lungs, a concussion and a broken arm in the crash. He has since returned to duty.

Reeves, 40, is survived by his wife Susan, who also is a member of the Millville Police Department.

Reeves was a 7-year veteran of the city police department.

Timothy Seidel sustained a torn aorta, injured knee and a fractured ankle in the crash.

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